* For continuous good service as Company
Commander, 2nd-in-Command and CO, Gallipoli/France, 1915/18.

CB

08.07.1941

Middle
East 12.40-02.41 *

CBE

01.04.1941

Middle
East 08.1939-11.40 **

DSO

25.08.1917
20.12.1917

Battle
of Messines 06.17 ***

-

VD

?

?

MID

28.12.1917

service
26.02.17-20.09.17

MID

18.04.1918

?

MID

30.12.1941

Middle
East 02.41-07.41 [awarded 08.12.41] #

CdeG

07.01.1919
23.05.1919

Western
Front [awarded 01.11.1918] ****

GrkWC

10.04.1942
23.11.1944

Greece
[awarded 08.12.41]

* Brigadier
A.S. Allen commanded 16 Aust Inf Bde in the attacks on Bardia (3-5 Jan) and
Tobruk (21-22 Jan.). By his organization, enthusiasm and close supervision of
detail, he ensured the success of his brigade in the set-piece attacks. In the
subsequent exploitation he proved himself a skilful and inspiring leader and
achieved even greater success. The crushing defeat of the enemy in both the
above engagements depended very largely on the work of Brig. Allen's Brigade,
especially in securing bridge-heads for the I – tanks.
** Brigadier
Allen rendered very valuable service as the Commander of the original force of
Australian troops to arrive in Palestine in February 1940. Not only did he
attend to the training of this force un an able manner, but he laid the
foundations for the comfort of the later contingents by the establishment of
camps, services, and all kinds of amenities, often under great difficulties.
Further than this, Brigadier Allen, by his own personal enthusiasm,
established extremely cordial relations with the British troops, Government
officials and Arab notables, to the distinct advantage of all subsequent
Australian convoys.
*** For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his company with
great dash and determination against enemy trenches, through heavy artillery
and machine-gun barrage, and against a stubborn resistance of the garrison, of
whom he captured 100 prisoners. He continued to rally and lead his men to the
attack, gaining further ground by his aggressive spirit and setting a fine
example of initiative and organising ability. [Recommendation approved
14.07.1917]
**** Click
here for recommendation
# Only one MID to be found in the London Gazette, dated 30.12.1941. An award
reference card indicates 23.06.1942, which can't be found in the
published version. According to his own data, as provided by Allen to the
"Who's who", he got despatches thrice, for North Africa, Greece
& Syria.

Education: Hurstville Superior Public School; private study
(night schools)
Audit clerk with the New South Wales Government Railways, 16.02.1912.

1911

joined
the cadets and then the 39th Battalion of the Australian Militia Forces (AMF)

24.09.1913

commissioned,
38th Infantry Battalion (Kogarah)

26.04.1915

-

10.11.1919

served European
War in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) (Middle East & France)

Associate
of Commonwealth Institute of Accountants,
06.06.1922. Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
(FCA (Austr.))
Practising as A.S. Allen & Co., Chartered Accountants (Aust.), 4 Balmoral
Ave., Mosman, NSW; Director of companies.Literature: Stuart Braga, Kokoda Commander : the life of Major General
Tubby Allen (2004)
* Allen did get to Java in February 1942 but never took any command since the forces were less
than a Brigade and the force was given to a battalion commander promoted to Brigadier.

Cross of St John, Grand Cross Order of
Orange­Nassau, 1917, French Croix de Guerre, 1st Class Military Cross of
Greece, American DSC.

Commonwealth
Military Forces, Deputy Chief of General Staff, Australia; Chief of Staff,
Australian Corps, 1918, and of Australian Imperial Force, 1919; served
European War, 1914-1918 (despatches seven times, DSO, CMG, CB); Australian
Defence representative in London attached to the War Office, 1922; Second
Chief of General Staff, Commonwealth Military Forces, 15.11.1923-31.08.1925;
commanded 3rd Australian Division, 01.06.1931-31.05.1937; Chief Commissioner
of Police Victoria, 1925-1937; Controller-General of Recruiting Secretariat,
Commonwealth of Australia, 1938-1939

went on to lots of distinguished posts with the 1st Armoured
Regiment, including Head of Armoured Corps in Australia 1964 to 1966; also Commanding
Officer, 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (18.04.1960-31.05.1961) &
1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (12.11.1961-25.07.1962) before their postings to Vietnam in the late
60s; Regimental Colonel, Royal Australian Regiment (04.10.1957-11.12.1960)

* Award of
DSO
to NX8576 Major (T./Lieutenant-Colonel)
Geoffrey Souter Cox:
For personal courage, leadership and skilful planning in the attacks on Wewak
Peninsula and Wirui Mission on 10 and 14 May 45. Wewak Peninsula and Wirui
Mission were two key points of enemy resistance in the Wewak area. 2/4 Aust.
Inf. Bn., commanded by Lt.-Col. Cox, was given the task of capturing both these
features. The enemy in each case had the advantage of dominating ground, an
extensive and heavily protected series of fortifications and an abundance of
automatic weapons. In the case of Wewak Peninsula, there was a most difficult
approach over a narrow sand-spit before the attack could be delivered. Lt.-Col.
Cox, in each instance, went right forward with his advanced troops and, under
enemy fire, carried out a reconnaissance in order to form his plan for the
attack. The plans for both attacks were faultless. The successful employment of
Artillery and Tanks and other supporting arms was outstanding. His appreciation
of the ground and the careful selection of the times for the attack were
important features in the success of both these operations, culminating in the
capture of both objectives against particularly stubborn resistance and the
extermination of the enemy garrisons at almost negligible cost to his own unit.
During both attacks Lt.-Col. Cox was with his forward troops continually, and
personally controlled and directed them. He set a fine example of leadership to
all members of his unit and gained the admiration of every officer and man under
his command. These two successful operations enabled the Bde to ultimately clear
the whole of the Wewak-Boram area. Lt.-Col. Cox's personal bravery, initiative,
forethought and planning throughout the operation are worthy of recognition.

* Award of
DSO
to Lt.Col. I.N. Dougherty:
In command of 4 Bn. this officer has shown great bravery and efficiency in
handling of his Battalion. The success of Phase III of the Tobruk attack on 21
Jan. was largely due to his inspiring leadership. The handling of his Battalion
during the difficult operations at Derna from 26-31 Jan. was also an example to
the whole of his command. His work throughout the campaign has been of a high
standard.
** Award of the Bar to the DSO
to Brig. I.N. Dougherty:
For outstanding skill, courage and leadership during the operations of 21 Aust
Inf. Bde which resulted in the capture of GONA and the destruction of the JAPS
west to the AYBOGA River. Despite the strength of the JAPANESE positions in GONA
and the numerical weakness of 21 Aust Inf. Bde., Brig. DOUGHERTY, by the skilful
use of his infantry and supporting arms and by his own personal recces and
determination was able to capture the area and destroy about 600 JAPS in a
period of eight days. Immediately the fall of GONA was assured, Brig. DOUGHERTY
moved a large proportion of his force to the west to deal with a considerable
number of JAPS who had been landed in that area and who constit-uted a serious
threat to the left flank of the Div. By his resolute action, he destroyed the
JAPS and removed the threat thereby making available additional tps for
employment in the SANANANDA. area. His cheerfulness and complete control of the
situation at all times were responsible for his successful actions.

Adjutant
(Greece and Crete campaign; battalion rested in Palestine before moving into
Syria in the winter of 1941, but was eventually recalled to Australia to meet the Japanese threat)

12.02.1942

-

23.05.1942

seconded
to 6th War Course, Middle East Staff School, Haifa
(qualified as ‘(s.c.)’)

16.07.1942

-

05.12.1942

seconded
as Instructor, First Australian Army Junior Staff School (Brisbane)

06.12.1942

-

17.08.1943

seconded
as General Staff Officer, 2nd grade (GSO2) (Staff Duties & Training), G
Branch, HQ
First Australian Army (Melbourne) [15.01.1943 flew to New Guinea under hazardous circumstances as part of the Land Headquarters Observer Party. Returned to Townsville from Port Moresby on
05.02.1943]

Held managerial and senior relieving positions in the Bank of New South Wales in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, before his early retirement at the age of fifty-five. He was constantly troubled with health problems induced by war service.

*
Recommendation for the award of the Military
Cross to Temp.
Capt. J.G. Lindsay: "This officer whilst a platoon commander in C Company led a patrol on two occasions, succeeding in determining the position of the enemy wire and returned with valuable information which enabled the Commanding Officer to take a line of action with certainty regarding the enemy dispositions. Later, when this officer became Adjutant of the 2/4th Bn he carried out his duties with tireless energy and high ability. As an instance of this on 11 Apr 1941, during a
period when B Company was being strongly attacked on the Veve front in Greece,
with the aid of a line from B Company he interpreted B Company Commander’s wishes in
regard to supporting fire, translated them into terms of map references and then on another line to the Artillery succeeded in procuring such accurate defensive fire that
the enemy attack was frustrated. This action on Capt. Lindsay’s part demanded quick and accurate thinking in order to obtain effective Artillery support in sufficient time.
Had the front given way in B Company area it is highly probable that the Veve position would have broken 24 hours before it did. This action was followed by further invaluable work on the part of this officer. During the withdrawal on 12 Apr 1941, the Commanding Officer received an order to take up
a delaying position in the vicinity of Soter and it was due to Capt. Lindsay’s efforts and movements between Coys in the face of heavy enemy fire that the Battalion was
reassembled and disposed on the ground enabling it to hold the position until 0900 hours the following day, as ordered. Later, on Crete, after a severe aerial bombardment, Capt. Lindsay, during the height of a determined and intensive parachute attack on the Battalion area obtained and collated information from all Company fronts thus enabling the Commanding Officer to take adequate steps to successfully deal with the position. This action on Capt. Lindsay’s part was performed during a period when a high state of confusion and excitement existed and under conditions when accurate information was hard to obtain because of the intensive activities of the enemy parachute troops."
Recommended 10.06.1941.
** Steering with the aid of compasses the leading company (Capt Rolfe) reached the southern edge of the wadi – a ravine 500 yards wide – late in the evening. Lt-Col Dougherty (CO, 2/4th Bn) ordered it to cross. By daybreak some fourteen men of
Lieutenant Lindsay’s platoon had crossed the wadi and established themselves on the far side after a fire-fight in which one Australian (Pte Reston) was killed and one mortally wounded (Pte Cornish) and nine Italians were taken prisoner. Early on the 26 Jan the enemy attacked the little group which the 2/4th had put across the wadi during the night. At first the Italians advanced boldly, but the Australians held their ground and the attack faded out. Later that morning the remainder of Capt Rolfe’s company reached the far side of the wadi. Next morning a large group of Italians blundered on to the Australian posts and about forty were killed and 56
surrendered. (The following day the Australians shot down an Italian aircraft which flew down the wadi.)

enlisted at
Largs, NSW with the Royal Australian Artillery (Medium) (Survey) (6th
divisional Artillery Reinforcements)

01.08.1940

Royal
Australian Artillery (Anti-Tank) Reinforcements (seconded to Australian
Imperial Force)

30.08.1940

-

30.09.1940

disembarked
from Australia (per HMS T1) for Palestine

30.09.1940

-

11.01.1941

6th
Australian Division Artillery Training Regiment [trained in Palestine for active service in the Mediterranean]

11.01.1941

-

13.04.1941

Royal
Australian Artillery (Anti-Tank) (Australian Imperial Force): 2nd Battery, 1st Anti-Tank
Regiment RAA[01.04.1941 embarked in ME for Greece [Crete] and was captured
unharmed by the Germans at Slovina [?] in the night of 12 on 13.04.1941]

released
from active service (28 days war service in Australia, 1789 days active
service outside Australia, 81 days active service in Australia, totalling 1898
days) upon transfer to Reserve of Officers (Permanent Supplementary List)